The Geysers

We wake at 4 to get a quick shower and prepare for the transport that will pick us up at 430. We have been warned about the cold so have wrapped up in loads of layers , including hats and gloves .The bus is on time ish and we board as we drive around the various hostels picking the remaining passengers up. Its quite funny because when we get to one of the hostels the people arent waiting and the driver shouts at the top of his voice " phillipe" its only 5 oclock in the morning and im surprised that he hasnt woken up half the town . The idea is that we will be there for sunset and as we leave town and the light , the night sky lights u. The stars are once again so impressive and we travel along on the bus for nearly an hour with my face stuck to the window just watching them. As we make our way up the hill the bus comes to an abrupt stop and the 2 guys get off. They use their phone as a torch and then are back on the bus rooting through atool box( im actually surprised they have one) taking various tools out and within 20 minutes or so we ar back on the road. As we continue we can slowly see the sky begin to light up with the sun but it is still behind the mountains so im sure it will be ok. We pull into the National Park and its time for a toilet break, as we get off the bus it is absolutely freezing and one of the guys says his phone is showing -4 . As we look across the car park there is actually a guy in shorts but it is very apparent he is regretting it.Everyone back on the bus and the short journey is made to the site , we can actually see them from afar but we head towards them and i am shocked at how large a site it is. The guide tells us it is the 3rd largest geyser site in the world and gives us a full explanation of how thermal activity below ground hits an underground water source if the temperature of he lava is right and the water has eroded enough rock the ash water and lava charge together and find the weakest spot forcing itself upwards penetrating the surface with its hot water and sulphur gases. The site is about 3and a half miles and the varying sizes of geysers and heights they go to are magigal, surrounded in the steam the make with it being so cold. As the sun rises over the mountains the change in temperature is instant and we all stand eating the breakfast the guides have prepared , warming our bodys in the process. I have never been so glad for a cup of hot coffee(even if it is with instant milk). Once we are all warmed we drive a short distance to the thermal spring pool, but Mark and i opt not to go in as even though it is warmer it is still cool and getting out of a hot spring into the fresh air is an option wed prefer not to do today . The next stop is a small village where we get to try Llama kebabs and meet the real people who live here , who have ascended from eru where they used to collect the taxes so had to find a hiding place, because as you can imagine they werent very popular. The village is very small and packed with various tour buses vying for there next sale of the overpriced animal on a stick. Our guide walks us to the outskirts of the village where we get to see the houses and animals as well as the fresh water streams and the bus picks us up from here to take the hours journey back to San Pedro. The early morning has written us off and we opt for a quiet afternoon chilling at the hostel and once again bumping into our old Malaysian friend AAron. We all sit and chat and we are all leaving in the morning to head to Bolivia so after a few beers and some hot dogs we retire to bed .Read more